Here are the origins of the names of the CATS from the musical. This was compiled by my sister Daedal and I'm using it with her permission.

AdmetusMeaning: unknownOrigin: GreekFrom: "Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter" - The Naming of CatsSignificance: In Greek mythology, Admetus was the king of Pherae in Thessaly, who was famed for hospitality and justice. The condemned god Apollo chose to live and work for him, and was so impressed that he blessed Admetus' herds, saved him from the goddess Artemis and won him his wife, Alcestis. Eventually, Apollo saved Admetus from death by haggling with the Fates, who said another could take his place. When they could find no one willing, Alcestis died for her husband, however, she was rescued by Heracles who heard of the situation and wrestled with the god of death for her soul.

AlonzoMeaning: Noble and readyOrigin: SpanishFrom: "Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James," - The Naming of CatsSignificance: Alonzo is widely held to be the third in command of the Jellicle Tribe after Old Deuteronomy and Munkustrap. He is the last to leave (after Munkustrap) when Macavity first comes, and the first to step forward when Munkustrap is injured while fighting.

Bill BaileyMeaning: (William) HelmetOrigin: EnglishFrom: "Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey" - The Naming of Cats

BombalurinaMeaning: (Ballerina) Female graceful dancer Alt. meaning: (Bomba) Puerto Rican music; (Lurina) Luring : Luring MusicOrigin: ItalianFrom: "Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum" - The Naming of CatsSignificance: Bombalurina is generally one of the better dancers among the cast, since she has centre stage in one part of the Jellicle Ball and her own duet dance with Demeter.

CarbuckettyMeaning: "Knockabout cat"Significance: Named by TS Elliot, but not actually in any of the lyrics or poems.

CassandraMeaning: She who entangles menOrigin: GreekSignificance: In Greek mythology, Cassandra was the name of the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. When Apollo fell in love with her, he granted her the gift of prophecy, but when she did not love him back he added a curse which meant no one would ever believe her.

DemeterMeaning: Barley-motherOrigin: GreekFrom: "Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter" - The Naming of CatsSignificance: In Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of agriculture and grain. She became the bringer of the seasons when she refused to make things grow in winter because it was then her daugher, Persephone, had to stay in the Underworld.

ElectraMeaning: AmberOrigin: GreekFrom: "Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter" - The Naming of CatsSignificance: In Greek mythology, Electra was the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. After returning to her home, she found her father killed by her mother's lover. Later, after meeting at their father's grave, Electra and her brother Orestes decided to take revenge and killed their mother and her lover. They were condemned for it and chased until death by Erinyes, the Greek personification of vengeance.

EtceteraMeaning: "And so forth"Origin: LatinSignificance: Etcetera is one of the kitten who always has a lot of energy and is full of personality. Her name seems to reflect her never-ending cheer.

ExoticaMeaning: "Music genre - imitating tropical styles"Alt meaning: Exotic; foreignOrigin: LatinSignificance: Exotica is a cat who only appears in the video version of CATS, therefore she is something new to the musical - something foreign. Her markings and skin colour seem to place her somewhere tropical.

GeorgeMeaning: FarmerOrigin: GreekFrom: "Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey" - The Naming of Cats

GrizabellaMeaning: (Gris) Grey; (Bella) Beautiful : Grey BeautyAlt meaning: (Griz) Grizzled; (Bella) Beautiful : Grizzled beautyOrigin: EnglishFrom: "Grizabella, the Glamour Cat" - Grizabella: The Glamour CatSignificance: She once was a glamour cat who was extremely beautiful, but now her old age is showing and she is beautiful no more.

JemimaMeaning: DoveOrigin: HebrewSignificance: Jemima is often seen as the youngest and most innocent kitten of the junkyard. She is also the kitten who first understands Grizabella. A dove is a symbol of peace.

MacavityMeaning: (Cavity) "A hollow place"From: "Macavity's a Mystery Cat: " - Macavity: The Mystery CatSignificance: Macavity is direct comparison to the character Professor Moriarty, the archenemy of Sherlock Holmes, who was also called the "Napolean of Crime."

Mr MistoffeleesMeaning: (Mephistopheles) DevilOrigin: LatinFrom: "You ought to ask Magical Mr. Mistoffelees " - Magical Mister MistoffeleesSignificance: The reference to the Devil in his name is due to the fact that he is magical, and in the past magic and the supernatural was considered evil and therefore a work of demons or witches.

MunkustrapMeaning: unknownFrom: "Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat," - The Naming of Cats

Old DeuteronomyMeaning: The second lawOrigin: LatinFrom: "Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time; " - Old DeuteronomySignificance: Deuteronomy is the name of the fifth book in the Christian Bible. This emphasises his power and extreme age.

PlatoMeaning: Strong shouldersOrigin: GreekFrom: "Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter" - The Naming of CatsSignificance: Plato was the name of a ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, the second of the famed trio: "Socrates, Plato and Aristotle". He famously wrote quotes such as "The unexamined life is not worth living" and "False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil".

PouncivalMeaning: (Percival) Pierce valleyAlt meaning: (Pounce) "Leap, lunge, spring"Origin: FrenchSignificance: Pouncival is one of the energetic kittens, who is normally seen climbing and jumping off and around the set. It is not found in any lyrics or the original poems, but TS Elliot created the name and said it had a "Morte d'Arthur" flavour, which was a compilation of English and French Arthurian romances.

VictoriaMeaning: Winner, conquerorOrigin: LatinFrom: "Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey" - The Naming of CatsSignificance: Queen Victoria I was a famous queen of England from 1837 to her death in 1901, the longest British monarch yet. The Victorian era expanded throughout her 63-year rule. She spent three-quarters of her life as queen, the highest British ratio yet. She outlived three of her children, eleven of her grandchildren and three of her great-grandchildren.